CMAML announces tenders for Vadapalani transit-oriented redevelopment

Chennai Metro Asset Management Limited (CMAML) has announced plans to transform the Vadapalani Bus Terminus into a modern multimodal hub. The ₹481 crore project aims to connect public transit with retail, office, and creative sector facilities, enhancing commuter comfort and driving urban growth.

Chennai Metro Asset Management Limited (CMAML), a joint venture between Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), has announced the transformation of the Vadapalani Bus Terminus into a cutting-edge multimodal transportation and commercial centre. The 6.65-acre project along Arcot Road, a significant traffic artery in the city, is anticipated to cost between ₹480 and ₹481 crore. Currently, the depot handles about 158 buses and serves approximately 1,100 to 1,158 passengers daily, making it one of Chennai’s 32 significant hubs.

The proposed multimodal hub will have a ground-level terminal with five boarding bays and two alighting bays, including one devoted to bypass services to simplify operations. To improve traffic flow, there will be two access points: one from Arcot Road for commuters and another from Kumaran Colony Main Road for business vehicles. Above the station, a 12-storey commercial and office skyscraper will rise, with underground parking for 1,475 two-wheelers and 214 vehicles. The ground storey will house retail establishments, while the fifth floor will house a food court and restaurants, providing additional services for both passengers and tourists.

The city’s dedication to supporting creative industries is demonstrated by the fact that levels one through ten will be devoted to office space, while the eleventh and twelfth floors have been set aside for businesses in the animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) sector. The structure will also have a planted patio and solar panels to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Tenders for the project have already been issued, and contract awards are likely within the next three to four months. The Vadapalani hub is expected to be finished within three years. A smaller-scale redevelopment proposal is also underway for the Mandaveli bus terminus, with a two-year completion timeline. These improvements are part of a larger strategy to connect Chennai’s public transport infrastructure with commercial and community-friendly amenities, thereby improving the commuter experience and boosting local economic growth.

For more details, visit: https://ta.chennaimetrorail.org/